Moving from Albuquerque, NM to Los Angeles, CA
It is 798 mi between Albuquerque and Los Angeles β roughly 13h 52m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
798 mi Β· 13h 52m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Albuquerque | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 18.9% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.9% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $344,457 to $952,183 moving to Los Angeles.
YoY change: Albuquerque +0.9%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Albuquerque | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 14.1" |
Annual temperature rises 7.1Β°F moving to Los Angeles per NOAA normals.
Los Angeles gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Albuquerque | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $65,604 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 38.7 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.72 |
Los Angeles households earn about 18.9% more than Albuquerque at the median β $65,604 β $80,366 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Mexico and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Albuquerque?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 18.9% higher than Albuquerque (113.566 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance is 798 mi and the route typically takes 13h 52m via I 40 and I 15. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Albuquerque to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 798 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Albuquerque vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $65,604 in Albuquerque β a 22.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Albuquerque?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Albuquerque?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $344,457 in Albuquerque β a 176.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Albuquerque.
City profiles: Albuquerque, NM Β· Los Angeles, CA.